Following a court case can be illuminating. Whether we understand the matter or not, regardless of whether the investigation is intriguing, trials are supposed to convince a jury of laypeople of someone’s guilt or innocence.

Miscarriages of justice are particularly humbling, especially if we don’t know the resolution in advance—that is if we’re following a current case and have no idea that it may lead to scandal later. In hindsight, when watching a show or documentary about it, the flaws are visible, mostly because we already know they are there.

However, if we follow a current case, we are likely to be as sure as the jury that someone did or didn’t do something. If a panel of experts contradicts the jury’s verdict while the case is still fresh in our minds, we will have no choice but to feel humbled by how compelling their arguments were when we didn’t know better.

The truth isn’t fickle. Most of the time, the truth is simply out of reach. We only get glimpses. We can only hazard guesses. Alas, our minds are indeed fickle, and we struggle to accept just how gullible we are.

Fickle and gullible

Identity is crucial, no doubt about it. Identity defines us, helping us explain why we are the way we are. Yet, identity does not determine who we can be. In other words, identity is itself mutable.

From the left and the right, they tell us we belong somewhere, all too often in opposition to anywhere else. Moreover, they warn us we shouldn’t leave this ideological or physical spot lest we become diluted in our essence, deprived of our culture, and directionless in our ambitions.

Yet, if we have lived abroad, mingled with individuals from various backgrounds and dared to change our minds at least once, we know our identites have grown richer, more nuanced and malleable.

We can and should look back and not forget where we come from. However, that doesn’t mean that’s the only place we can or indeed should be.

Whence / Whereto

For those fortunate enough to live surrounded by kindness, it’s hard to fathom that many may do so in constant conflict or threat. It doesn’t need to be huge displays of affection or regular displays of joy and generosity. Conversely, unkindness doesn’t have to be acute to be destructive.

A kind context is essential to develop the best versions of ourselves. Living in an uncaring and hostile environment almost guarantees uncaring and hostile individuals.

It’s not always easy to surround ourselves with positivity, but it may be the most important action we ever take.

Kind surroundings

Being different from the majority can be lonely. It is indeed a solitary endeavour, at least for significant periods.

A fortunate few might find others like them. We will still be a minority, perhaps one so small that it isn’t even recognised—not that our lot needs recognition by anybody else.

Finding the others shouldn’t be an exercise in isolation, the obsessive creation of echo chambers devoid of interaction with the rest of society. On the contrary, finding the others may provide the necessary confidence that we aren’t mere aberrations but fully valid members of this strange world of ours.

Indeed, finding the others may be the only way we see the rest.

Finding the others, seeing the rest

No planning means almost nothing gets done. It’s all in fortune’s hands.

Planning is exhausting but can have incredible results. The bridge between idea and reality often comes in the form of an effective plan. Upon success, we may be tempted to overdo it, burning out in the process.

The cost of planning leads to no planning. As fortune gains inch after inch of our routine, our accomplishments diminish, our confidence falters, and we may despair and doubt our capacity.

If a good plan is a bridge between idea and execution, a proper rest can bridge the gap between planning exhaustion and the next well-scoped project.

Planning a little, planning too much, not planning at all

Those who benefit from power structures can become greedy. They want more. They demand more. The system favours them, but couldn’t it favour them more?

The new tactic for the insatiable thirst of the powerful is to embrace renewal. They denounce the—often genuinely—corrupt structures and aim to renovate them. Of course, their goal is to shape the ruleset so that only they can win.

They should be careful about what they wish for: any actual repair of any broken system can only be detrimental to those who already win most of the time.

Martian Thoughts

Fickle and gullible

Whence / Whereto

Kind surroundings

Finding the others, seeing the rest

Planning a little, planning too much, not planning at all

Insatiable corruption